Secretary Spellings Meets with North Carolina Educators to Highlight Math and Science Education

Cary, N.C. — U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings today traveled to North Carolina to visit Cary Academy and hold a roundtable discussion with parents, faculty and students on the importance of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. In her fifth visit to the state, Spellings noted North Carolina’s commitment to strong accountability and rigorous high school coursework.

“We must encourage students to take more advanced math and science classes. Employers today need workers with ”pocket protector“ skills—creative problem-solvers with strong math and science backgrounds,” said Secretary Spellings. “With high standards and rigor, we can prepare a rising generation of innovators and entrepreneurs to lead us in the 21st century.”

Earlier this year President Bush laid out his proposals for the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind. In his proposal, the President focuses new resources on high schools and competitiveness, including $365 million for the American Competitiveness Initiative to help strengthen math and science instruction. The President also calls for more accurate graduation rates, expanded access to Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes and an increased effort to link high school course work with college and work force needs.

Secretary Spellings also discussed the importance of helping more of America’s students attend and afford college. Cary Academy offers a variety of AP classes, which helps the school ensure that 100% of its students go on to college. The Department of Education recently announced the FAFSA4caster to help families better plan for college, and the President called for the largest Pell grant increase in 30 years. In North Carolina alone, more than 11,000 students benefited from Academic Competitiveness and National SMART grants, which encourages students to take more challenging coursework in high school.

To see all of the President’s proposals for the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind, please visit: http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/nclb/buildingonresults.html